COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY: Tigers chemistry carries them to Final Four

PRINCETON — When the four players that spent the 2011 season touring with the U.S. Senior National team returned this season everyone knew it would boost Princeton’s talent level.

The question was how would their return affect the chemistry of the Tigers.

Well, as No. 2 ranked Princeton take on No. 6 Maryland this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in the NCAA Field Hockey Final Four on the turf at Old Dominion in Norfolk, Virginia it appears everything worked out just fine.

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“We have the talent to be here, but talent is not enough,’’ said Princeton coach, Kristen Holmes-Winn. “You have to have the chemistry. You have to have the willingness to come together as a team. You have to be willing to fight for each other on the field. You have to have respect for each other.’

The national team players were Kathleen Sharkey, Julia Reinprecht, Katie Reinprecht and Michelle Cesan. The Reinprecht’s were on the Olympic roster and Cesan was an alternate.

Princeton (19-1), which has won 12 straight and captured their eighth Ivy title, has one of the most explosive offenses in the country. It will be looking to bring home the first national championship.

It won’t be easy as Maryland (18-5) will be looking to avenge a 3-2 loss to the Tigers earlier this season. The other semifinal game has No. 1 North Carolina (22-1), with Stuart graduate Jaclyn Gaudioso-Radvany in the lineup, facing No. 5 Syracuse (19-2).

Syracuse is the only team to defeat Princeton. It was in late September by a 2-0 score.

The Tigers bounced back from the loss to the Orange and then six games later after a 4-1 defeat of then No. 4 Connecticut Holmes-Winn realized this could be a very special season.

“We had our ups and downs in September,’’ said Holmes-Winn. “After the UConn game was the point when I knew these guys got it. Our structure started to gel and I thought we have four more weeks to refine this. Everyone understood their role.’’

Sharkey handles the majority of the scoring. This season the senior is the leader in the nation and she has become the all-time in goals and points in a career and in a season.

Sharkey has 35 goals this season and 79 points, Katie Reinprecht has a team high 18 assists, Julia Reinprecht is next with 13 assists and Allison Evans has 11 goals.

Princeton averages an amazing 4.80 goals a game and the defense has a goals against average of 0.80.

Having faced Maryland before could it be more difficult this time around?

“I’m sure they are a lot better than we faced them the first time, but I think we are too,’’ said Holmes-Winn. “It’s going to be a battle. Maryland is so seasoned in this role. They win national championships like it’s their job. We know it’s going to be tight.’’

The Tigers have been pretty consistent all season and this group has come together nicely against one of the most difficult schedules in the country. Princeton has played 10 games against ranked teams and they are 9-1.

“This group has such passion and energy,’’ Holmes-Winn said. “They love the game and they love being together. They enjoy competing. Everything we have done this year has made it special.’’

Now, they are heading to what Princeton hopes is a very special weekend.

TOURNEY TOPICS: The national title game is set for Sunday. …Maryland holds a 15-6 edge in the series, including 1-2 in NCAA play. …Princeton, which is playing in its eighth straight NCAA tourney, is 19-16 overall. …This is the Tigers sixth Final Four performance and they are 2-3. …Holmes-Winn has been to three Final Fours as a player and three as a coach. …Princeton is 18-0 when scoring first.